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Cat. No. 21-1573
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
TRC-445
Deluxe 40-Channel Mobile CB Radio
with Weather Alert
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FEATURES
Your RadioShack TRC-445 Deluxe 40Channel Mobile CB Radio with Weather Alert is a high performance CB that also lets you tune to local and national weather service broadcasts. This CB is perfect for recreational, business, or emergency use. You can call other people who have CBs at home, in their vehicles, or at camp sites. You can also connect optional equipment to your CB, such as an external speaker to create a PA system, or a DC power supply and base station antenna to set up a base station in your home.
Your CB has these features:
7-Channel WX Band Receiver — lets you tune to seven national weather service frequencies so you can hear local weather conditions and forecasts.
Built-In SWR Meter — helps you tune your antenna system to optimize your CB’s performance.
PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) Frequency Synthesizer — provides reliable and exact tuning using a precise frequency reference crystal.
Two Ceramic Filters — provide superior channel selectivity and prevent adjacent-channel interference.
Hysteresis Squelch Circuit — compensates for fading signals and eliminates signal chopping during reception.
Rotary Tuning Control — provides maximum convenience when selecting channels.
LED Channel Display — lets you see the selected channel (1–40).
Last-Channel Memory — the radio “remembers” the channel you previously tuned to when you turn on the radio.
RF Gain Control — lets you adjust reception to match the strength of the received signal.
Lighted SWR/RF/Signal Meter — lets you see the incoming and outgoing signal strength as well as the standing wave ratio (SWR).
Noise Blanking — lets you reduce the noise sometimes caused by nearby electrical equipment such as motors or automotive ignition systems.
Adjustable Brightness — lets you set the meter’s backlight and the LED channel display to dim or bright.
CH-9/NOR/CH-19 Switch — lets you quickly tune to Channel 9 or Channel 19 in an emergency without adjusting the rotary tuning control.
CB/WX/PA Switch — lets you quickly select the normal CB function, weather mode, or public address mode.
© 1997 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
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WX/Alert Indicator — shows the CB is ready to receive a weather alert signal.
RX/TX Indicator — shows whether the CB is transmitting or receiving.
S/RF/SWR/CAL Switch — lets you quickly select the display for the RF/signal meter (radio input/output signal power strength, standing wave ratio of the antenna, or SWR calibration).
Universal Mounting Bracket — lets you mount your CB securely in your vehicle or on a desk or table in your home.
Note: To use this CB, you need a mobile or base station antenna. Your local RadioShack store has a wide variety of antennas. For more information, see “Installing an Antenna” on Page 6.
We recommend you record your CB’s serial number here. The number is on the CB’s back panel.
Serial Number___________
FCC INFORMATION
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not require you to have a license to operate this CB. However, the FCC does require that you read and know Part 95 of FCC Rules. These rules apply to the operation of a Class D CB. We have provided a copy of these regulations with your CB.
Warning: Do not open your CB to make any internal adjustments. Any internal adjustments can be made only by an authorized service technician.
Internal adjustments and/or modifications can lead to illegal operation as defined by Part 95 of FCC Rules. Such illegal operation can lead to very serious consequences.
To be safe and sure:
•Never open your CB’s case.
•Never modify your CB.
Your CB might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To determine whether your CB is causing the interference, turn off your CB. If the interference goes away, your CB is causing it. Try to eliminate the interference by:
•Moving your CB away from the receiver
•Contacting your local RadioShack store for help
If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop using your CB.
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CONTENTS |
|
Installation ............................................................................................................... |
5 |
Mounting the Microphone Holder ....................................................................... |
5 |
Mounting the TRC-445 ....................................................................................... |
5 |
Connecting the Microphone ................................................................................ |
6 |
Installing an Antenna .......................................................................................... |
6 |
Selecting an Antenna ................................................................................... |
6 |
Connecting an Antenna ............................................................................... |
7 |
Using Vehicle Battery Power .............................................................................. |
7 |
Using the CB as a Base Station ......................................................................... |
8 |
Connecting Optional External Speakers ............................................................. |
9 |
External CB Speaker ................................................................................... |
9 |
Public Address Speaker ............................................................................... |
9 |
Adjusting the Standing Wave Ratio .................................................................... |
10 |
Standing Wave Ratio Chart .............................................................................. |
11 |
Operation ............................................................................................................... |
12 |
Turning On the CB and Receiving Transmissions ............................................ |
12 |
Transmitting ...................................................................................................... |
13 |
Listening to Weather Broadcasts ...................................................................... |
14 |
Weather Alert ............................................................................................. |
15 |
Using the Public Address Function ................................................................... |
15 |
CB Operation Tips ................................................................................................. |
16 |
Common Uses for a CB Radio ......................................................................... |
16 |
Business Uses ........................................................................................... |
16 |
Personal Uses ............................................................................................ |
16 |
CB Courtesy ..................................................................................................... |
16 |
Using Common 10-Codes ................................................................................ |
17 |
Maximum Range .............................................................................................. |
18 |
Reducing Noise ................................................................................................ |
18 |
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................... |
19 |
Care and Maintenance .......................................................................................... |
20 |
Replacing the Fuses ......................................................................................... |
21 |
Specifications ........................................................................................................ |
22 |
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INSTALLATION
MOUNTING THE MICROPHONE HOLDER
Using a Phillips screwdriver and the supplied screws and washers, attach the supplied microphone holder to the CB’s left or right side either horizontally or vertically.
Illustration
Star Lock Washer (2)
Small Screws (2)
MOUNTING THE TRC-445
The most common mounting location for this CB is under a vehicle’s dashboard. However, if you use the TRC-445 as a base station, you can place it on a desk, shelf, or table (see “Using the CB as a Base Station” on Page 8).
If you are mounting the CB in a vehicle, choose a location where:
•You can easily reach the CB.
•Wires and cables are clear of the vehicle’s pedals or other moving parts.
•The CB is not directly in front of heating vents.
•All wires and cables can reach their connection points.
Cautions:
•If you use the TRC-445 in a vehicle, mount it securely to avoid damage to the CB or vehicle or injury to anyone in the vehicle during sudden starts or stops.
•Do not mount the CB where it could damage or interfere with the proper operation of any passive restraint safety device (an air bag or seat belt).
Follow these steps to mount the CB using the supplied hardware.
1.Using the slots in the mounting bracket as a template, mark the positions for the screw holes.
2.In each marked location, drill a hole slightly smaller than the supplied mounting screws.
Caution: Be careful not to drill into anything behind the mounting surface.
3.Using a Phillips screwdriver, attach the mounting bracket to the mounting surface with the large mounting screws and star lock washers.
Illustration
Star Lock Washer (2)
Mounting Screws (3)
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4.Attach the CB to the mounting bracket using the rubber washers and mounting knobs.
Illustration
Mounting Knobs (2)
Rubber Washers (2)
To disconnect the microphone, unscrew the locking nut and gently pull out the microphone plug.
Caution: Never pull on the microphone cable.
CONNECTING THE
MICROPHONE
1.Align the slot on top of the microphone’s plug with the ridge inside the MIC jack. Then fully insert the plug into the jack.
Illustration
2.Turn the plug’s locking nut clockwise to tighten it.
3.Slide the microphone onto the microphone holder.
Illustration
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INSTALLING AN
ANTENNA
Caution: To prevent damage to your CB, you must connect an antenna to it before you operate it.
Selecting an Antenna
When deciding on an antenna and its location, consider these points:
•The location of the antenna should be as high as possible.
•The antenna and antenna cable should be as far as possible from sources of electrical noise (ignition systems, gauges, and so on).
Your local RadioShack store sells a variety of CB antennas for both mobile and base-station use. Choose the one that best meets your needs.
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Connecting an Antenna
Once you choose an antenna, follow the mounting instructions supplied with the antenna. Route the antenna cable to the CB, then screw the cable into the ANTENNA jack on the back of the CB.
Illustration
Cautions:
•Do not run the cable over sharp edges or moving parts that might damage it.
•Do not run the cable next to power cables or other CB antenna cables.
•Do not run the cable through a vehicle’s engine compartment or other areas that produce extreme heat.
USING VEHICLE BATTERY POWER
You can power this CB from your vehicle’s battery or from standard AC power with an optional DC power supply. For information on using AC power, see “Using the CB as a Base Station.”
Follow these steps to power the CB from your vehicle’s battery.
Illustration
Red Wire
Orange Wire
Black Wire
1.Plug the single connector end of the power cord into the POWER 13.8V DC jack on the CB’s back panel.
2.Connect the black wire to your vehicle battery’s negative (–) terminal or to a metal part of the vehicle’s frame that is not insulated from the frame by a plastic part.
3.Connect the red wire, with in-line fuse, to a source of voltage that turns on and off with the ignition switch, such as a spare accessory terminal in your vehicle’s fuse box. This prevents the battery from being drained if you leave the CB on when you turn off the ignition.
4.Connect the orange wire, with in-line fuse, to a source of voltage that supplies constant positive (+) power, or directly to your vehicle’s positive (+) battery terminal. This enables the radio to “remember” the last channel you tuned to when you turn the radio back on.
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USING THE CB AS A BASE STATION
Although this CB is designed for mobile use, you can also use it as a base station. For base-station installation, you need the following items.
•12-volt DC power supply (such as Cat. No. 22-504)
Caution: Most 12-volt DC power supplies plug into a standard AC outlet to produce DC power. Before connecting your CB to a 12-volt DC power supply, read and follow the instructions included with the power supply.
•Base station antenna (such as Cat. No. 21-921)
•Coaxial antenna cable and connectors
Note: Your local RadioShack store carries coaxial antenna cable and connectors.
Follow these steps to install the CB as a base station.
Illustration
Red Wire
Orange Wire
Black Wire
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1.Mount the base station antenna as described in its owner’s manual.
Warning: Use extreme caution when you install or remove a base station CB antenna. If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches the power line, contact with the antenna, mast, cable, or guy wires can cause electrocution and death. Call the power company to remove the antenna. DO NOT attempt to do so yourself.
2.Route the antenna cable to the CB, then connect the cable to the ANTENNA jack on the back of the CB.
3.Plug the single connector end of the power cord into the POWER 13.8V DC jack on the CB’s back panel.
4.Connect the black wire to the DC power supply’s negative (–) terminal.
5.Connect the red wire and orange wire, with in-line fuses, to the DC power supply’s positive(+) terminal.
Note: When you turn off the DC power supply, the CB “remembers” the last channel you tuned for only a few minutes. After that, when you turn on the DC power supply again, the radio automatically selects Channel 9.
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